A summary of ultra portable controllers by usbmidicontrollers.com

10/04/2017, 13:15A summary of ultra portable controllers - USB MIDI Controllers
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USB MIDI Controllers
News, information, and discussions about USB MIDI Keyboards, Drum Controllers, DJ Controllers, and more
Ultra-Portable USB MIDI Controllers
These are the best USB MIDI controllers for travelling –
compact and small enough, for those times when you
might want to !nd creative ways to pass the time on a
long plane, bus, or train journey. Basically anywhere
where you can use a laptop, but they would be
perfectly acceptable to use as a full-time MIDI
controller at home as well.
The controllers described on this page are all
about the same size, approximately the width of a
laptop. Designed so that they sit squarely against the
laptop edge.
Ultra-portable in that they could be taken just about
anywhere, in any bag, and in some situations could
even be slipped into a large coat pocket.
An added bonus is that these are pretty inexpensive,
meaning that they’re somewhat replaceable items if
lost or damaged.
So let’s get started, and we’ll explore what’s available.
We have a number of di"erent types to look at – some
with piano keys, some drum pads, some for mixing,
some for DJing.
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Alesis Q25 and Alesis VMini.
Alesis currently have 2 keyboard controllers in this
class, each for slightly di"erent use scenarios.
There is the more traditional synth-style Q25, that has
just keys and pitch and modulation wheels. It is also
available in a larger 49 key size.
Click to enlarge the image.
Alesis Q25 Features at a glance:
25 or 49 velocity-sensitive keys
USB MIDI and traditional MIDI for connecting to other MIDI hardware
Pitch and Modulation wheels Backlit Octave Up and Down buttons to expand the note range
Assignable volume slider enables you to control your most-used parameter, Sustain pedal input (pedal
sold separately).
Comes with Ableton Live Lite Alesis Edition for recording, sequencing, and performing
Bus powered via USB, so doesn’t need a power cable.
Item Weight 1.4 Kg / 3.1 pounds.
Product Dimensions 49.5 x 19 x 5.7 cm / 19.5 x 7.5 x 2.2 inches.
Colour = Black

Alesis VMini
The VMini adds 4 drum pads and 4 dials, to give extra control of software functions.
Alesis VMini Features at a glance:
25 expressive velocity-sensitive, synth-action mini keys.
4 backlit velocity-sensitive drum pads; 4 backlit assignable
knobs.
USB-powered compact design – no additional power is needed,
lets you create anywhere.
Dedicated octave, pitch bend, modulation, and sustain
buttons.
Includes the Xpand!2 virtual instrument by Air Music Tech.
Small enough to !t in a backpack or laptop bag.
Item Weight 499 g / 1.25 lbs.
Product Dimensions 31.1 x 14 x 3 cm / 12.5 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches
Similar to the Q25, Alesis also make a 49 key version.
Akai LPK25 and LPK25 Wireless.
The !rst of Akai’s models that we’ll mention, come in
two varieties. The wireless version, uses bluetooth
and can be connected to an iPad, is quite a lot more

costly than the non-bluetooth model.
They both come with the same controls – piano keys and an arpeggiator.
Akai’s L-Series also includes the LPD8 with drum pads and e"ects dials.
Features at a glance:
25 velocity-sensitive USB MIDI keyboard mini-keys
Built-in arpeggiator
Instant USB connectivity for Mac and PC, no software drivers required.
USB-powered, no additional power cable.
Sustain button, octave up and down, and tap tempo controls.
Includes con!guration software for Mac and PC to easily customize the keyboard’s MIDI commands.
The LPK25 is a scaled-down relative of the MPK series of USB MIDI keyboard performance controllers.
Note keys: 25 (velocity-sensitive)
Inputs/outputs: 1 USB-mini port
Dimensions = 13.3 x 3.8 x 1.3 inches / 34 x 9.7 x 2.8 cm
Weight= 1.41oz / 454 grams
Colour = Black
Akai LPK 25 Wireless additional features:
Bluetooth Pro!le = Bluetooth Low Energy (LE)

Bluetooth Range = Up to 30 metres / 100 feet
iPad Compatible – easily connects wirelessly to iPad or Mac/PC
Connections = 1 USB port
1/4” (6.35 mm) TS sustain pedal input
Powered by USB or (3) AA batteries
Dimensions = 37 x 4.88 x 1.42 inches / 36.5 x 12.4 x 3.6 cm
Weight = 8 lbs, 49 kg
Akai LPD8 and LPD8 Wireless.
Similarly available in both bluetooth and non-wireless
versions, the LPD8 USB Pad Controller for laptops is
the companion to the LPK25, giving you 8 velocity
sensitive MPC-style drum pads and 8 assignable e"ects
controller dials.
As the LPK above, the Akai LPD8 wireless edition uses
3 AAA batteries giving 72 hours of performance time
on battery power, but also can be powered by USB if
they run down.
The LPK25 and LPD8 when used together have most of the features of Akai’s MPK Mini Mk2, and both
together they cost about the same as the MPK, but the L-Series may in fact provide more convenience in some
cases, as they can be separated. However, they do lack the Pitch/Modulation joystick and foot pedal input of
the MPK Mini.
Feature list for the LPD8:
8 backlit, velocity-sensitive drum pads send MIDI data such as notes and program changes.
Orange LED backlights on the pads respond with visual feedback when hit.
Eight Q-Link re-assignable dials for controlling virtually any software parameters.

Ultra-portable form factor.
Design based on Akai Professional’s MPC line of iconic music workstations.
Instant USB connectivity for Mac and PC, no software drivers to installation.
Easily con!gurable for Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, Cubase, etc
USB powered – no additional power cable.
4 programmable memory banks.
Included con!guration software for Mac and PC, to customize the controller’s MIDI commands to your
software instruments.
LPD8 Item Weight = 318 grams / 11.2 ounces
LPD8 USB only Product Dimensions = 30.2 x 8.1 x 2.5 cm / 11.9 x 3.2 x 1 inches
Colour = Black
Wireless version, additional features:
Bluetooth Pro!le = Bluetooth Low Energy (LE)
Bluetooth Range = Up to 30.5 metres / 100 feet
iPad Compatible – easily connects wirelessly to iPad or Mac/PC
Connections = 1 USB port
Powered by USB or 3 AA batteries
Dimensions of the Wireless Pad Controller = 31.5 x 11 x 3.4 cm / 14 x 4.3 x 1.3 inches
Weight = 318 grams / 11.2 ounces
The M-Audio Keystation II Range.
Lightweight, durable and just under 2cm in height. Available in 4 sizes – with 32, 49, 61 or 88 keys.
Slimline portable piano keyboards with one dial for volume control (which can be re-assigned for other uses).
Sustain, Edit, Pitch Up/Down and 3 additional assignable buttons, are positioned at the left side of the piano

keyboard.
No-nonsense, simple, powerful controllers for people who just need piano keys.
Features of the Keystation 32 Mini:
32 low pro!le, velocity-sensitive synth-action mini keys deliver great feel in an ultra portable design.
Designed and manufactured by M-Audio – the company that pioneered portable music production
equipment in 2002
Easily con!gurable for any virtual instruments, recording software, and more.
USB powered, no batteries or power supply.
Lightweight, compact design
for portability and easy setup.
Ultra-portable USB MIDI
keyboard delivers unmatched
playability in its class.
USB instant connectivity to Mac
or PC.
iOS compatibile, using the
Apple iPad Camera Connection
Kit (sold separately)
Includes Ableton Live Lite, a
powerful music performance
and creation software
Includes SONiVOX Eighty-Eight
Ensemble, a virtual piano
instrument that captures a 9-foot CD327 Steinway piano.
Includes AIR Music Tech Xpand!2, a multitimbral all-in-one workstation
Ignite music creation software included.
Transport and directional buttons let you operate your Digital Audio Workstation from the keyboard.
Pitch bend, modulation, and octave controls for enhancing performances – can also be re-assigned for
other functions.
Size = 41.8 x 10.5 x 1.98 cm / 16.46 x 4.13 x 0.78 inches
Weight = 726 grams / 1.6 pounds
Colour = black

Click to enlarge.
Image of the M-Audio Keystation 88 key model
The Korg MicroKey Mk2
Korg have 2 models
of compact USB MIDI
keyboards,
with similar use
scenarios but
di"erent prices.
The NanoKEY2 – part
of the Korg Nano
Series, and the
MicroKey – more of a
standalone product. (Click here to jump to the NanoKey section)
The Microkey is available with 25, 37, 49 or 61 synth-style velocity-sensitive keys.
The 37 and 61 key models feature Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels. The 25
key model has a joystick in the same area, also an arpeggiator button, and
sustain/tap button have been added.
There is a USB hub built into the larger MicroKeys,
this is a useful feature if you have a number of
devices to connect – no need for a separate hub.
Korg have also recently released Wireless models of the Microkey in the same
25, 37, 49 and 61 key sizes.
These Korg micro keyboards come with a wealth of included software:
KORG Legacy Collection – M1 (Light Edition), a re-creation of the classic 1990s synthesizer

Korg M1 Legacy - rave Piano Fun!
UVI Digital Synsations,
software synthesizer
AAS Ultra Analog
Session, software synthesizer
AAS Strum Session, acoustic
guitar software module
AAS Lounge Lizard
Session, electric piano software
module
Propellerhead Reason
Limited, music production
software
Ableton Live discount coupon, Digital Audio Workstation
Korg MicroKEY 2 (USB) – list of features:
microKEY-25 Joystick, arpeggiator button, Sustain / TAP button
microKEY-37, 49 and 61 Pitch bend wheel, Modulation wheel
Keyboard = Natural Touch mini-keyboard
microKEY-25 1 x USB inputs
microKEY-37, 49 and 61 1 x USB input; 2 x USB outputs
Power: USB bus power
Item Dimensions of the microKEY-25 39.5 x 13.1 x 5.3 cm / 19 x 3 x 7 inches.
Weight of the microKEY-25 0.65 Kg / 1.43 lbs.
The Korg NanoSeries 2
Korg originated the concept of super-compact MIDI controllers with the NanoSeries in 2008.
The !rst of the series that we’ll look at – the NanoPad2 – is a 16 velocity-sensitive drum pad. It is capable of
storing 4 banks of scenes, providing a total of 64 pads assignments. Very similar in looks to the NanoKEY2,
with similar buttons. There is a slight separation down the middle of the pads, e"ectively presenting them as
two banks of eight.
Its X-Y touchpad allows the control of multiple MIDI parameters simultaneously.
Positioned above the pads are some interesting performance-orientated controls: the Hold button, Gate Arp
button, the Touch Scale button, the Key/Range button, the Scale/Arp button, and the Scene button – to switch
between the 4 banks in realtime.

In the standard mode, the X/Y pad transmits Control Changes; in Touch Scale mode, its X axis sends notes
while the Y controls note length. You can use them to play musical patterns and phrases, much like on Korg’s
Kaossilator series. You can choose from sixteen di"erent scales, and specify the root key and note range to
ensure that your performance stays within your song.
The Gate Arp functions creates rhythmic gated notes at a speci!ed tempo – synced to MIDI or set by tapping
out the tempo – which you can make adjustments to the gate e"ect with the X-Y pad. By holding a pad and
using the X/Y surface to control the rate, you can also create glitch e"ects or drum rolls. You can also assign
chords to any of the drum pads.
All of these features would be impressive on a controller of any size – but the added portability and durability
of the Korg nanoPad 2 makes it the ideal controller for today’s mobile musician.
Korg NanoPad 2 – list of features:
Controllers:
16 trigger pads with velocity and 4 velocity curves
XY-Pad, HOLD button, GATE ARP button, TOUCH SCALE button, KEY/RANGE button, SCALE/ARP
button, SCENE button
Touch Scale function lets you play musical phrases from the X-Y touchpad
Gate Arp function creates tempo-synced musical phrases for creative performance and recording
potential
Memory: 4 user scene memories
Corresponding Software: Can control all host applications that correspond to MIDI input
Connector: USB, mini B type
Power Consumption: USB bus power: less than 100 mA
Dimensions: 32.5 x 8.3 x 1.6 cm/ 12.8 x 3.27 x 0.63 inches
Weight: 285 g/ 0.63 lbs.

Click here to return to the top of the page
Korg NanoKontrol 2
is a low-pro!le, multi-function control surface – resembling a mixer console layout.
It has 8 Volume Faders; 8 Panoramic Balance dials; Mute, Solo and Record buttons for each track; and Digital
Audio Workstation Transport control buttons for: Play, Stop, Forward, Back, Record, Loop (Cycle) and
navigation.
It is therefore possible to Mute/Solo, adjust volume levels and pans, a number of tracks at once using this
controller, or set them ready to record, etc – extremely di#cult to do with a mouse or trackpad.
The controls are all re-assignable to suit your needs.
Korg NanoKONTROL 2 – list of features:
8 knobs, 8 sliders, 24 buttons
Transport buttons: Rewind, Fast Forward, Stop, Play, Record, Cycle (Loop) button, Marker button, Track
button
Can control any software that recieves Control Change (CC) messages, including:
Avid Pro Tools
Apple Logic Pro X
Apple GarageBand (on Mac or iPad)
MOTU Digital Performer
Steinberg Cubase
Ableton Live
Cakewalk SONAR

Connections: 1 x mini-USB
Dimensions: 32.5 x 8.3 x 3 cm/ 12.8 x 3.27 x 1.18 inches
The NanoKey2 slimline keyboard
has velocity-sensitive rubber note keys with a similar feeling to the drum pads of the NanoPad. It has buttons
for Pitch Bend, no Mod Wheel, Arpeggiator or dials.
Korg NanoKEY 2 list of features:
25-key velocity keyboard
Pitch up & down buttons: -4 to +4 octave range
Octave up & down buttons
Modulation buttons and Sustain buttons
The same software packages as the MicroKey, listed above (Click here to jump back to the Korg Legacy
section)
Connections: 1 x mini-USB
Dimensions: 32.5 x 8.3 x 1.6 cm/ 12.8 x 3.27 x 0.65 inches
Each of the controllers in the Korg Nano 2 series are available in black or white.
They all come with the following software:
Korg Legacy Collection – M1 (Light Edition)
UVI Digital Synsations, software synthesizer
AAS Ultra Analog Session, software synthesizer
AAS Strum Session, acoustic guitar software module

AAS Lounge Lizard Session, electric piano
software module
Propellerhead Reason Limited, music production
software
Ableton Live discount coupon, Digital Audio
Workstation;
and can utilitize the Apple Camera Connection Kit for
iPad and iPhone.
Korg have conveniently combined the features of the
nanoKey and the nanoPad into one device called the nanoKey Studio, and also have made a larger, more
featured version of the nanoKontrol.
Both have bluetooth connectivity, for use with laptop computers, phones or tablets.
Arturia Beatstep and Keystep
The Arturia Beatstep is a slimline drum pad controller, that in many ways is similar to the Korg NanoPad. Like
the NanoPad it is
capable of much
more than it seems
at !rst look. It is a
drum and
performance
controller, aimed
equally at musicians
and DJs.
As well as having a
USB connector, it
also has old-style MIDI and CV outputs. This means that direct communication with hardware equipment

becomes possible.
It can be powered by USB, but also has a mains power connector. Arturia have designed the Beatstep and
Keystep (below) to work with or without a computer. The on-board step sequencer can be used in conjuction
with Digital Audio Workstation software, to o$oad some of the processing work involded in triggering
software instruments or audio clips, or independently to control external devices.
The Beatstep has 16 velocity-sensitive drum pads and
16 controller dials, transport control buttons – Play
and Stop, and a selector dial. All of the controls can be
re-assigned to suit your requirements.
It is available in white or black designs.
Measuring 32 x 13 x 1.7 cm, it is of similar size to most of the devices on this page, which is why we
have included it among our list of ultra-portable controllers. It is also iPad compatible, if you have Apple’s
Camera Connection Kit.
Arturia also make the BeatStep Pro, which we will be discussing at a later date.
Features of the Beatstep
16 velocity and pressure-sensitive backlit pads: Red = Control mode, Blue = Sequencer mode
16 assignable encoders with 2 modes: MIDI CC and NRPN/RPN
Transport controls – Sends MIDI clock messages includin Start/Stop (internal sync), Sends MMC Play and
Stop messages
Data Encoder: Volume MIDI CC#7 – Control Mode, Rate – in Sequence mode, Sequence Transpose –
SHIFT + Data Encoder
Kensington Lock port
16 user presets buttons
Multiple pad modes
The companion to Beatstep is Arturia’s Keystep – combining the
functionalities of a keyboard controller with a polyphonic step sequencer, to enable the control of both
analog and digital devices. It is a 32 piano-type keyboard controller with transport functions – Record, Stop
and Play/Restart; with 2 touch-sensitive control strips for Pitch Bend and Modulation e"ects, a built-in
arpeggiator as well as the built-in sequencer. Similar to the Beatstep, Keystep has a USB port, MIDI and CV
outputs, and can be powered by USB or a mains adapter.

Arturia Keystep – List of Features
A 32 note slimline keybed with velocity and aftertouch
Arpeggiator mode: Up, down, inclusive, exclusive, random, note order, double up and down modes.
Sequencer mode: 8 polyphonic step-sequences with Rest, Tie, and Legato note entry
Tap Tempo and Rate controls: Sequencer and Arpeggiator Record, Play, and Stop buttons
Sustain HOLD button
1 Sustain pedal socket
Chord play mode
SHIFT button selection: MIDI channel selection, GATE time, SWING values
A DC jack for standalone operation
USB MIDI, to connect to computers or iPads
MIDI input and output ports
CV/GATE outputs
Capacitive touch-strips for Pitch Bend and Modulation e"ects
Each sequence can have 64 steps, each step can have up to 8 notes
Can be powered by an iPad (camera connection kit required)
Novation LaunchControl
Launch Control is a robust, compact controller that has 16 assignable dials and eight pads. It provides tactile
control for mixer software, instrument parameters and e"ects. Launch Control works with all major music
software and also with the iPad.
You can use Launch Control’s three colour pads to trigger samples or drums, while simultaneously turning the
chunky dials to adjust !lters, pannings and levels.
Launch Control essentially has the same functionality as the top section of Novation’s Launchkey Mini

keyboard controller, but the arrangement and
allocation of pad and dials is reversed: Launchkey Mini
has 8 controller dials and 16 drum pads, whereas the
more portable Launch Control gives you 16 dials and 8
pads.
It therefore depends on what you require – more pads
or more dials. If you already have a keyboard
controller, you may want a device to give you some
extra dials, and in many cases 8 drum pads is su#cient
to pound out a good beat or to launch samples.
The controller is pre-mapped for Ableton Live 9, and comes with Ableton Live Lite 9, 4 GB of Loopmaster
samples, and Novation’s stand-alone template editor for control assignment.
List of Features for the Novation Launch Control:
16 rotary dials with 300 degree motion
8 square multi-colour backlit Launch pads
6 backlit function buttons
448 controls using 16 on-board templates – 8 factory and 8 user programmable
1 x USB socket
1 x Kensington Security Slot
iPad compatible, using Apple’s Camera Connection Kit (not included)
Included software:
Ableton Live Lite 9 music making software
4 GB pack of Loopmaster samples
Novation’s stand-alone template editor for control assignment
USB bus powered, including from the iPad
Product Dimensions = 24 x 11.8 x 3.9 cm / 3 x 11 x 6 inches
Weight = 680 g / 1.5 pounds
Novation also manufacture a larger mixing surface for even more control – the
Launch Control XL. It has 24 dials and 8 faders, along with 16 trigger pads.

Ultra-Portable DJ Controllers
Numark DJ2G0
Despite its size and price, the Numark DJ2go is actually
a very capable DJ controller. As can be seen from the
image, it is quite basic but has eveything you need: 2
Jog Dials for Deck A and Deck B; 2 Volume dials – for
Deck A and Deck B; a Master Volume dial; Browser dial
and Enter button for searching through your digital
music library; 2 Load buttons (Deck A and Deck B) for
selecting tracks; backlit Play/Stop, Cue, Sync and
Monitor selector buttons; relatively large (for the size
of the device) pitch sliders; and a Cross Fader.
It allows you to control your favorite DJ software, with a tactile feel that can’t be matched using a computer
keyboard and mouse or trackpad. Quickly plug in and start practising. Test out your mixing ideas wherever
inspiration strikes. It is useful as a backup or secondary controller as well.
With DJ2Go’s controls, you rarely need to touch the computer mouse or track pad. It is easy to select and load
tracks from your music library using the navigation controls.
There is no !lter section or loop controls on the device – just the basics. So you may need an additional
controller alongside it, to control these. However, all buttons and dials can be re-programmed for any
features. To get full use out of the controller, it also really requires a second sound output on your computer,
as sound is not send to the device.
Ultra-portable USB DJ controller lets you DJ and perform with any music on your computer
It has a sturdy construction, with durable rubber feet
Perfect for minimalist setups
Connects to your computer in seconds
Mouseless navigation keeps your attention on the music
Single USB cable provides easy integration with your PC or Mac
Familiar A and B deck layout with crossfader
Includes VirtualDJ Lite Edition software
Compatible with VirtualDJ Pro, Traktor, Algoriddim DJ Pro
USB powered and USB Class Compliant – no drivers to install
Item Weight = 454 g / 1 pound
Dimensions = 43.7 x 12.4 x 2.5 cm / 17.2 x 4.9 x 1 inches
Price (at time of writing): €59,00 / £47.00 / $99.00

Hercules Compact DJ Control
The DJ Control Compact from Hercules includes two
jog wheels, measuring 2.95 inch / 7.25 cm in diameter.
Each deck has a 2-band Equaliser to enhance the sound
while mixing. There is one volume dial per deck and a
1.77 inch / 4.42 cm crossfader.
Beside the decks, each has four responsive trigger
pads which in turn have four modes: Loop, FX,
Samples, Cue.
On the left side of the controller is a Record button –
the included software DJUCED 18° allows you to record your mixes. Below Record is the Mode button for
switching the pads to the di"erent modes.
There are Sync, Cue and Play/Pause buttons below each deck. This Hercules controller is not symmetrical as
the Numark DJ2go is. On the right side is the Shift button – giving each button, dial and jog wheel an
additional function. The device doesn’t have dedicated pitch controls for example, but Pitch for manual beat-
matching can be adjusted by pressing Shift then nudging the jog wheels.
DJUCED is capable DJ software that is supplied with the majority of Hercules’ controllers. The Compact DJ
Control’s buttons ergonomically match the layout of the software. This controller can also be used with the
more popular digital DJ software such as Traktor, VirtualDJ and DJay Pro; the buttons are recon!gureable or
con!guration !les can be downloaded for these other software packages.
The DJControl Compact is both an ideal backup device in the event that your main DJing controller fails, and it
is a convenient and high-performing device for mixing enthusiasts to practise or experiment with.
List of Features:
A compact DJ controller with dual mixing decks: 2.95 inches / 7.5 cm in diameter
The essentials of the mix at your !ngertips
The Hercules DJ Control Compact pads (4 for each deck) control loops, manipulates e"ects, trigger
samples and cue points.
Vinyl record style scratching is possible with the jog wheels.
8 Trigger Pads – 4 pads per deck: to create Loops, add e"ects and launch samples.
The jog wheels also control the Pitch and navigation within the tracks.
Individual deck controls on the left and right.
2 equalizer dials per deck.
1 volume dial per deck.
A 1.77″ (45 mm) crossfader.
10 control buttons including a SHIFT button enabling you to double all the pads’ controls.

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Transport buttons for each deck: Play/Pause, Cue, Sync.
Powered by USB bus (removable USB cable included).
E"ects for use during mixes: Echo, Flanger, Reverb, Chorus, Auto-wah, Compressor, Rotate, High-
pass/Low-pass !lters.
DJUCED 18° DJ Software included
Weight: 558 g / 1.8 pounds
Product Dimensions: 37.4 x 13.5 x 5.8 cm / 14.7 x
5.3 x 2.2 inches
Price (when this article was written): $79.99
/ £56.95 / €59,00
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